Two Tesla executives, Elon Musk and Ashok Elluswamy, recently took to social media to recount their experiences with unsupervised Robotaxi rides in Austin, Texas. As the automotive sector closely tracks developments with Tesla Robotaxi, these firsthand accounts suggest the company is actively moving closer to launching fully driverless vehicles. Musk and Elluswamy documented their trips with photos and video, showing empty front seats as their Teslas navigated city streets, providing a rare glimpse into day-to-day testing. Their public participation highlights the confidence Tesla places in its current Autopilot and Full Self-Driving systems, reflecting a milestone that just a few years ago was considered highly ambitious even within the tech industry.
Earlier reports on Tesla’s autonomous efforts pointed to gradual improvements and regulatory challenges that slowed widespread adoption. Prior demonstrations, typically involving an onboard safety monitor, met skepticism regarding full autonomy. Recent years saw advanced driver assistance functions but hesitancy about public testing with no human oversight. The latest accounts from top executives, with no one at the controls, edge Tesla further beyond the more cautious approaches adopted by competitors and signal ongoing operational trials before any broad Robotaxi rollout.
What did Tesla executives experience during their Robotaxi rides?
Elon Musk described his ride as his Tesla drove him around Austin on Christmas Eve, seated only in the passenger seat. He remarked on the car’s smooth navigation, emphasizing there was no person in the driving position.
“A Tesla with no safety monitor in the car and me sitting in the passenger seat took me all around Austin on Sunday with perfect driving,”
Musk stated, underlining the company’s growing confidence in the unmanned vehicle’s capabilities.
How did the vehicles perform with no safety monitors present?
Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s AI Director, documented his own experience from the back seat, publishing a video that showcased the car maneuvering independently through urban traffic. He commented on the seamless ride and absence of human intervention at the wheel.
“It’s an amazing experience!”
Elluswamy noted, further reinforcing public perception of Tesla’s progress towards unsupervised driving operations.
Will Tesla introduce unmanned Robotaxis soon?
Elon Musk mentioned plans to deploy safety monitor-free Robotaxis within three weeks, reiterating this commitment at the xAI Hackathon, the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, and recent earnings calls. According to Musk, Tesla’s autonomy challenges have been largely resolved, paving the way for imminent robotaxi deployment. The correspondence from both Musk and Elluswamy demonstrates real-world use and could serve as a precursor to broader public launches in Austin and potentially beyond.
Tesla’s initiative stands out as it puts unmanned vehicles into active testing with direct senior management involvement. Previously, industry moves focused on limited pilot deployments, often within controlled environments or with backup drivers on standby. The latest phase, highlighted by public outreach and high-profile endorsement from Tesla’s own leadership, adds visibility and urgency to regulatory discussions around public robotaxi adoption. For those following the pace of autonomous vehicle development, concrete steps like these, especially within city environments, provide useful case studies as the industry negotiates safety, trust, and technological readiness.
